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Two-time Super Rugby defending champions the Chiefs have scored three tries in the last 10 minutes and kicked a touchline conversion after the hooter for a thrilling 34-34 draw at the Bulls.
The Chiefs scored five tries in all and had led 12-3 early before surrendering control of the game and trailing the Bulls 31-15 heading to the final 10 minutes.
Backline replacement Gareth Anscombe then rounded off a brilliant 70-metre try for the Chiefs in the 70th minute, lock Matt Symons burrowed over to score off a clever lineout move in the 77th and captain Aaron Cruden squeezed the ball onto the line in the corner with around 10 seconds to play after another long-range counter from the New Zealand team.
Anscombe kicked the conversion from the left touchline to silence Loftus Versfeld and push the Chiefs up to third ahead of the NSW Waratahs’ visit to leaders the Sharks later on Saturday.
In Pretoria, the Bulls had tries from flanker Deon Stegmann, wing Bjorn Basson and a penalty try. The Bulls controlled the territory, scrums and lineouts for most of the game before slipping up against the Chief’s elusive counter-attacking to halt the South African team’s streak of three straight wins.
The Chiefs showed their dangerous threat in open play when former All Blacks fullback Mils Muliaina scored the first try in the 14th after an inside pass from Cruden. Centre Andrew Horrell made a searing break five minutes later and flanker Liam Messam strode over for a quick-fire double.
The Hamilton-based Chiefs appeared to have quickly shrugged off a surprise loss to the Western Force in Australia last weekend.
But under the guidance of veteran captain Victor Matfield, the Bulls claimed control of the middle stages of the game through their dominant scrum and lineout and the Chiefs only scored three points between the 19th and 70th minutes.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.